US4448556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge for matrix printer
Assignee: CHROMA
•
Filing: 1982-04-21
•
Granted: 1984-05-15
•
Expires: 2002-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A ribbon cartridge for a matrix printer includes a capstan which is driven by an outboard gear accessible by a driver located on the printer from either the top or bottom. This allows cartridges to be closely stacked on a single carriage.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Trezise
- 👤 John Boldt
- 👤 Keith Gnutzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:50
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J32/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer comprising: an envelope having a predetermined thickness for storing ribbon and for supporting a length of ribbon for placement between a platen and print head; a capstan driven within the envelope for moving the ribbon; an outboard gear for coupling to ribbon driver means on the printer, the periphery of the gear engaging the capstan to drive it, the gear being mounted for rotation on an ear portion of the envelope thinner than the predetermined thickness of the ribbon containing portion of envelope, said gear including means engageable by said ribbon driver means of said printer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer comprising: an envelope having a predetermined thickness for storing ribbon and for supporting a length of ribbon for placement between a platen and print head; a capstan driven within the envelope for moving the ribbon; an outboard gear for coupling to ribbon driver means on the printer, the periphery of the gear engaging the capstan to drive it, the gear being mounted for rotation on an ear portion of the envelope thinner than the predetermined thickness of the ribbon containing portion of envelope, said gear including means engageable by said ribbon driver means of said printer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer comprising: an envelope having a predetermined thickness for storing ribbon and for supporting a length of ribbon for placement between a platen and print head; a capstan driven within the envelope for moving the ribbon; an outboard gear for coupling to ribbon driver means on the printer, the periphery of the gear engaging the capstan to drive it, the gear being mounted for rotation on an ear portion of the envelope thinner than the predetermined thickness of the ribbon containing portion of envelope, the rotational axis containing a splined hub on both sides for engagement by said ribbon driver means of said printer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer comprising: an envelope having a predetermined thickness for storing ribbon and for supporting a length of ribbon for placement between a platen and print head; a capstan driven within the envelope for moving the ribbon; an outboard gear for coupling to ribbon driver means on the printer, the periphery of the gear engaging the capstan to drive it, the gear being mounted for rotation on an ear portion of the envelope thinner than the predetermined thickness of the ribbon containing portion of envelope, the rotational axis containing a splined hub on both sides for engagement by said ribbon driver means of said printer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer as in claim 1 where said capstan has a circular groove for accommodating a wire form to prevent jamming of ribbon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ribbon cartridge for use in a printer as in claim 3 where said circular groove meshes with said periphery of said outboard gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ribbon cartridge as in claim 2 where said outboard gear includes an exposed edge for manual rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A ribbon cartridge as in claim 2 where said outboard gear includes a ramped surface adjacent said splined hub for facilitating said engagement by said ribbon driver means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A ribbon cartridge as in claim 6 where said splined hub is slot shaped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3311316A
Cited
US3386676A
Cited
US4010839A
Cited
US3994383A
Cited
US4272202A
Cited
US4252450A
Cited
US4351619A
Cited
US4367502A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-15 | 1987-11-14 | 1988-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-15 | 1991-11-14 | 1992-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-15 | 1995-11-14 | 1996-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |